How to have a birthday party for a 7 yr. old boy NEED SUGGESTIONS FOR TOY ALTERNATIVES

[lbrown1618]

My dd was just invited to a party for her friend, she is turning 8. They just included a note:

Instead of gifts, Maddie (the bday girl) would like you to consider donating items to the Humane Society. We will collect the items and deliver them to the shelter after her birthday. Here is a list of the items the shelter is in need of (a list follows)

This is actually perfect timing for my DD. She has been entranced by the ASPCA commericals on TV, about helping these poor sad animals. They actually make her cry :-(. Those commercials are really depressing (which I guess is the idea). And she always asks if we can help the animals.

Anywho, I love the idea, DD thought it was awesome too. And by the way, there is some items that didn't occur to me other than the food/litter etc...kleenex, paper towel, fleece fabric, rubber dishwashing gloves, towels...so if you do this make sure and call to see what they truly do need.

But it doesn't have to be an animal shelter. You know your child, think for a few minutes about what they are into (animals, sick kids, etc) or talk to them about various organizations and let them choose one to help.

And your of course going to have people that bring a donation AND still get a toy gift. So also make the deal with him about donating a used toy for every new one he gets.

[mkmattingly]

I like the pet food/toy donation ideas. I will add, that if my son recieved an invitation that in any fashion came with a suggestion or guidance to give gift cards, or heavan forbid, sports fees, I'd politely decline. That's not a party I'd want my child to attend.

[nicellis0325]

Originally Posted by mkmattingly I like the pet food/toy donation ideas. I will add, that if my son recieved an invitation that in any fashion came with a suggestion or guidance to give gift cards, or heavan forbid, sports fees, I'd politely decline. That's not a party I'd want my child to attend.

I agree with you. I like the idea of getting a new toy and donating an old one. OP-Not to sound like a jerk, but maybe instead of focusing on him getting a few b-day gifts on his b-day, you should be focusing on why he has so much stuff. How does a kid have every single toy he ever wanted?
I have never ever heard of someone who did not want their child to receive gifts on their birthday because they had every toy known to man.

[mom2lucas]

I like the pet food donation idea! I wanted to do something like this for DS's birthday since it is right after Christmas, but I didn't get it together in time. Next year, we will totally do this. Of course, my mother and DH's mother would still buy the kids toys. My mom brings them something every time she comes over. At least I've gotten her to switch from toys to food. She brings them packs of cut apples or raisins now. Everybody wins!

[manders13]

Originally Posted by lbrown1618 My dd was just invited to a party for her friend, she is turning 8. They just included a note: Instead of gifts, Maddie (the bday girl) would like you to consider donating items to the Humane Society. We will collect the items and deliver them to the shelter after her birthday. Here is a list of the items the shelter is in need of (a list follows) This is actually perfect timing for my DD. She has been entranced by the ASPCA commericals on TV, about helping these poor sad animals. They actually make her cry :-(. Those commercials are really depressing (which I guess is the idea). And she always asks if we can help the animals. Anywho, I love the idea, DD thought it was awesome too. And by the way, there is some items that didn't occur to me other than the food/litter etc...kleenex, paper towel, fleece fabric, rubber dishwashing gloves, towels...so if you do this make sure and call to see what they truly do need. But it doesn't have to be an animal shelter. You know your child, think for a few minutes about what they are into (animals, sick kids, etc) or talk to them about various organizations and let them choose one to help. And your of course going to have people that bring a donation AND still get a toy gift. So also make the deal with him about donating a used toy for every new one he gets.

i can't watch those commercials,

if i had it my way, i'd have a house full of whatever needed a home.. i get soo upset seeing poor helpless animals not being loved :sad:



Animal shelters can use ALOT of things people might not think they can. Most of the stuff you listed are GREAT examples!

[tacatcon]

Ooh that's tough. I don't like the idea of forcing him to donate or something, because I'd rather see the kid buy into it and have it be his decision. Then he'll grow up with an attitude of giving and such, not a resentment that mom made me do this growing up. KWIM?

One idea I had was maybe movie gift cards for either rentals or the movie theater?

My son who just turns 13 loves video games and he loves to rent the ones he doesn't have.

[tacatcon]

oh there was a thing on the local news today bout a poor little kitty who doesn't have paws-I missed the first part about what happened but they need to find him a home without stairs and with carpeting so he isn't injuring himself all the time (though not sure why on the carpet part)-so of course I'm like oooohhh I want to adopt him. But we have 2 sets of stairs anyway so wouldn't work out.

And I didn't mean to sound like I don't think asking the other kids to bring donations isn't a good idea, I just don't know about forcing coupongirl's son to donate his stuff. Though in my house all your stuff is MY stuff since I paid for it. lol

Originally Posted by manders13 i can't watch those commercials, if i had it my way, i'd have a house full of whatever needed a home.. i get soo upset seeing poor helpless animals not being loved :sad: Animal shelters can use ALOT of things people might not think they can. Most of the stuff you listed are GREAT examples!

[coupongirl69]

OK, I am yet to figure out how asking for a suggestion turns into what are you thinking, you suck as a parent session.
At any rate I don't want him to have everything known to man because he's 7. He doesn't NEED anything but he's a kid he WANTS everything.
And I would never ask for someone to give him $$ for sports fees it was a joke as that's the only thing I could think of that he'd NEED cuz he WANTS to play every sport offered.
When is enough toys enough? People are struggling right now to afford food for their families, the last thing I'd want is for them to feel obligated to buy a toy that he doesn't need. It seems wasteful to me.
I'm not coming at this from a greedy stand point or to say that my child has every toy ever made or to seem ugly. I simply was looking for suggestions as to what to tell parents when they call and ask what he wants.
Thanks to those that gave good suggestions about the animal shelter and the food GC's. :( to the ones that have to point fingers and not be nice.

[MrsPinecone]

While donating to a shelter is an admirable thing and a great lesson for kids to learn, I don't agree with "no presents" birthday parties.

I'm sorry, but since the dawn of time, birthday parties = gifts. If you don't want them, don't have a party.

If you have too much stuff, why not take some of the older stuff and donate that to a women's shelter or something?

[buddysmom]

Seven year old birthdays are about having your friends over, cake, presents, & FUN!.
If they other parent calls & asks what DS would like, say something like "He really likes action figures, or he's really into Bakugan"... Then they can decide what price point to go with.